Recommended Prophilaxis

Planning a trip to the tropics?

Malaria is a serious illness and a major
health problem throughout the tropics. 1 out
of 10 people who develop the most severe
form of Malaria will die. Check with the OHS
if you require Antimalarials for your trip.
It presents with flu like symptoms, general
malaise, muscle aches, perfuse sweating
and fever 38C+ The incubation period is at
least 7 days, however, Malaria can occur up
to one year following exposure.
Prevention
Preventing bites is the best protection
against malaria as well as a variety of
serious diseases transmitted by mosquitoes
in tropical and sub tropical areas.
Use a good insect repellent on exposed
skin at all times i.e. one containing DEET
50% in the highest risk areas.
Reduce area skin exposed by wearing
light coloured long sleeved tops and
trousers between dusk and dawn when
mosquitoes are most active.
Wear insect repellent impregnated wrist
and ankle bands, particularly between
dusk and dawn.
Bring
your
own
mosquito
net
(impregnated with permethrin), if you are
unsure of the facilities available where
you are staying
Where possible, sleep in rooms fitted with
mosquito screens on doors and windows.
Use mosquito nets, check for holes in the

net. Tuck the net edges under the

mattress before dusk.
Burn mosquito coils out doors at night.
Plug-in pads impregnated with insect
repellent work but electric buzzers are
not effective.
Marmite, brewers yeast and garlic do
not prevent bites.
Antimalarial Drugs
The Occupational Health Service will advise
on which drug or combination of drugs is
recommended for the area you will be
visiting. See chart overleaf.
Chloroquine and multi-drug resistance has
become a major problem in many areas.
Chloroquine and Paludrine can be bought at
a Chemist.
Factors affecting the type of antimalarial you
will be recommended are; destination, length
of stay, previous allergy/side effects.
You can obtain a private prescription for
Mefloquine, Doxycycline, and Malarone from
the OHS.
Commence Mefloquine 3 weeks before
travel to ensure a protective blood level and
to monitor for side effects prior to departure.
Remember to take your anti malarials
Establish a routine- take daily tablets at the
same time each day preferably following
your food.

None
Insect repellent
Chloroquine
Chloroquine and Paludrine
Mefloquine
Doxycycline
Malarone

Diagnosis of Malaria
Malaria can be easily treated, but early
diagnosis is essential. Most people will
become ill within 1 month of leaving a
malarious area, but if you develop flu like
symptoms up to one year after return you
need to inform your doctor that you were
travelling in a malarious area.
What to look out for:
Viral-like illness without sore throat
Headache
A fever of 38C+
Perfuse sweating
Chills
Muscle aches
Jaundice
Dark urine
Seek medical advice at once. This becomes
even more urgent if the fever does not begin
to fall within a day, or if it recurs. Certain
types of Malaria can cause severe anaemia
and brain damage
Travellers going to very remote malarious
areas may be advised to take self-treatment
medication with them. Discuss this with the
Occupational Health Service who will advise

2 tablets weekly
2 tablets daily
1 tablet weekly
1 tablet daily
1 tablet daily

Paludrine
Mefloquine
Doxycycline
Malarone

2 days before travel

2 days before travel

3 weeks before travel

1 week before travel

1 week before travel

1 tablet daily

1 tablet daily

1 tablet weekly

2 tablets daily

2 tablets weekly

1 week

4 weeks

4 weeks

4 weeks

4 weeks

Start: Malarious area take:While in Continue taking anti

malarials after leaving
malarious area for:

of

Chloroquine

combination

Dosage:

suitable

Anti Malarials:

on the most
medicines

Malaria
Occupational Health
Level 4, Sherfield Building
South Kensington Campus
London,
SW7 2AZ
www.imperial.ac.uk/spectrum/occhealth
Tel: 020 7594 9401